O'Dea Visits Irish Troops In Chad

Accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Dermot Earley, O'Dea held a number of meetings in N'Djamena with Chad's Deputy Defence Minister and with the Victor Da Silva Angelo of Portugal, the head of the United Nations mission in Central African Republic and Chad.

Before visiting Irish troops in their base - Camp Ciara - in Goz Beida, Minister O'Dea held a series of meetings with the Deputy Force Commander Col. Derry Fitzgerald and other senior Irish Officers based in EUFOR HQ. While there he was briefed on the humanitarian and security situation on the ground, particularly on the recent incidents in Eastern Chad, their impact on the security of the camps and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

Almost 450,000 refugees and internally displaced people are now living in refugee camps along the border between Chad and Sudan having fled the violent and horrific conflict in Darfur. Irish troops are responsible for protecting and securing the area around these camps at Goz Beida and ensuring that the refugees can live free from fear of attack and that humanitarian aid is safely distributed to them.

Unfortunately, Minister O'Dea's plans to visit the UNHCR refugee camp and the Internally Displaced Persons' site in Goz Beida was curtailed due to the ongoing security situation.

Speaking from Chad, O'Dea said: "I am deeply humbled and saddened by what I heard here in Chad regarding the situation within the refugee camps. I regret that I didn't have the opportunity to visit the UNHCR refugee camp and Internally Displaced Persons' site today."

"I am proud too today. Proud that Irish troops are serving their country in such an honourable way by protecting and saving the lives of these vulnerable refugees and ensuring that the vitally needed humanitarian aid gets through. It is a challenging mission for our personnel but one that Ireland could not ignore."

"This is not an easy trip. The Chief of Staff and I are visiting this mission at a time of unrest in Chad, but it is important that we get on the ground at this time with our troops, to see the difficulties and challenges they face at first hand. I have to say how very impressed I am by the motivation being shown by our troops in the performance of their duties in these difficult circumstances."

"I was pleased and honoured to be able to thank our troops here personally for their dedication and service. As I have stated many times: the decision to send our troops to Chad was not taken lightly. All of us in Government are acutely aware of the difficulties our troops face, but after meeting with refugees and seeing their misery and sheer helplessness at firsthand, I know it was the right decision. As the events of the past few days have again shown our troops are making a difference and are enhancing Ireland's international reputation for standing by those in greatest need and in greatest danger."

"Ireland's record and tradition of supporting international peace and security with the United Nations is second to none. It is a tradition whose 50th anniversary we celebrate this year. Over those 50 years, the committed and dedicated service of members of the Defence Forces in overseas missions has brought great honour on Óglaigh na hÉireann and on the nation as a whole."

"The EUFOR mission in Chad is mandated to run for a twelve-month period, commencing 15th March 2008. It is envisaged that a traditional UN led/Blue helmet mission will replace the present EUFOR mission in March 2009. The Irish Government is currently committed to retaining troops in Chad up to March 2009 only. No decision has been made on whether we will continue in Chad after that date."

"The standard mid-point review of the operation of the EUFOR mission is due in August. At that point discussions will commence as to the nature of the successor mission and the modalities of the hand-over, so as to ensure a continuity of security and humanitarian assistance for both refugees and displaced persons."